Laundry machine



Oct. 11, 1938. l w. K, Voss f 2,133,234

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 71 I ll y f 10Patented oet. y11, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

The invention relates generally to laundry machines and the general aimthereof is to provide such a machine as will have a maximum factor ofsafety in the operation of the wringer mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide, `in a laundry machineembodying wringer mechanism, novel means for releasing an operativepressure between the wringer rolls and instantaneously discontinuingdriven movement of said rolls.

Another object is to provide a novel structure in which an actuator iseffective, upon either push or pull movement, to relieve the rollpressure and discontinue the driven movement by breaking the powercircuit to the prime mover.`

In conjunction with the foregoing, another object is to provide apositive, mechanical connection between the actuator and the circuitbreaking device vwhich is releasable instantly upon movement o f theactuator, and may not be accidentally nor permanently reestablishedprior to the resetting of the pressure release mechanism.

A further object resides in the provision of a laundry machine embodyinga wringer having a roll-pressure release mechanism and a circuitbreaking device, both of said parts being operable by a single actuator,each requiring separate manipulations or acts on the operators part torecondition the parts for operation, and having such relationship thatplacing and holding the circuit breaking device again in operative.condiciated therewith and a circuit breaker in the power circuit to theprime mover, said mechanism including an impact member eiective uponmovement from a normal set position to release the operating pressure onthe wringer rolls, said circuit breaker having a. partmechanicallyengageable with said impact member only when said member is in itsnormal position and spring urged for movement when released from saidengagement to break the circuit and to assume a remote positionprecluding the possibility of accidental reengagement and from which itmay only Abe returned by a positive, intentional act on the part of theoperator.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the followingdescription and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is-a partially diagrammatic view of a laundry machine embodyingthe features ofthe separable head or cross bar I5 arranged to fit (ci.ss-#253) invention, the lWringer mechanism and associated 4parts beingshown in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the wringer and associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through one end of the wringer,taken as indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the circuit breaking mechanism on anenlarged scale, the enclosing casing being in section. I

Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevational views of wringer mechanisms embodyingmodified forms of actuators.

Figs. 7 and 8 are end views of the modified forms of wringers shown inFigs. 5A and 6, respectively.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the circuit breaking mechanism and istaken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 4.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications andalternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will hereindescribe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understoodthat I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specic formdisclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings a preferred form of laundry machine has been shownmerely for illustrative purposes. Laundry machines usually embody, inaddition to a wringer mechanism, a tub for washing fluid, an agitatortherein and a prime mover or driving motor for the agitator which motorcustomarily serves to drive thewringer mechanism as Well. Of these partsit is deemed necessary, for the purpose of disclosing the present in\-vention, to show only thewringer mechanism, generally indicated at I0(Fig. 1) and the prime mover which is vdiagrammatically illustrated atII as being an electric motor.

The wringer structure embodies a frame having side stiles I2 and I3connected by a base Il and a telescopically over the upper ends of theside stiles. In the side stiles, which are channelshaped, are lowerhalf-bearings I6 resting on fixed pins I1 in supportof the ends of ashaft I8 which carries a lower wringer roll I9.` Also mounted in theside stiles are upper half-bearings 20 which rest upon the ends of ashaft 2| carrying the upper -wringer roll 22. A leaf spring 23 has itsends engaging the upper faces of the 55 bearings 20 and is carried by asuitable device 24 on the head I5 for tensioning the spring 23 to applya yielding operating pressure to the rolls I9, 22 through the upperbearings. One of the wringer roll shafts (herein the lower shaft I8) ispower driven from the motor II through suitable and conventional drivingconnections which include a shaft 25, a clutch (not shown) mounted inthe gear box 26, and a detachable connection 21, between the clutch' andlower roll shaft I8. The wringer frame, as shown, is; rigidly supportedby a bracket 28 on the gear box assembly.

For relieving or releasing the operative pressure between the wringerrolls in an emergency, means, usually termed a safety release mechanism,is provided and in the present embodiment the mechanism preferablyembodies an actuator for effecting operation of the mechanism and meansfor preventing return of the actuator to its normal or starting positionuntil the mechanism is manually reconditioned or reset. With particularreference to Figs. l and 3, the safety release mechanism in thisinstance comprises the following arrangement of parts. A quicklydetachable interengagement between one end of the head and itscorresponding side stile is provided which, in this instance, is in theform of interengaging shoulders 29 on the head I5 and side stile I2formed by striking out corresponding portions from the respectivemembers. 'I'he other end of the head carries a depending latching member30 in the form of a U-shaped stirrup which is pivotally secured as at 3Ito the head and is arranged to extend therefrom downwardly into thecorresponding side stile'I3 in embracing relation to the bearings andshafts which are disposed in that stile. The pivotal connection 3|between the latching stirrup 30 and the head preferably includeshorizontally elongated slots 32 which permit of a limited horizontalshifting movement of the latching stirrup relative to the head.

The base 33 of the latching stirrup is disposed near the base I4 of thewringer frameand said frame carries a catch device 34 which is movablefor engagement with the base of the ylatching stirrup. The catch device34 preferably. comprises a member of generally U-shaped cross sectionpositionedbetween the sides of the frame base I4 and pivotally mountedthereon for movement on' a horizontal axis by such means as a l stud 35which extends through ears 36 on the framebase and through suitableapertures in the spaced arms of the catch device. The catch device onits upper surface has a pair of transversely alined hooks 31 fashionedto engage the base 33 of the latching stirrup. The arrangement of thehooks'3'l and their relationship to the pivotal axis of the catch device34 is such that the catch device, cf and by itself, 1s incapable ofmaintaining a holding engagement with thev latching stirrup against anupward force exerted longitudinally of said stirrup. Since such a forceis always exerted whenever the parts are assembled and the spring 23 isunder tension, means is provided for holding the catch device engagedwith the latching stirrup. Thus, one

leg of an L-shaped lever 38 is rigidly afilxed to the arms of the catchdevice in such manner that, as may be seen in Fig. 3, the other leg ofthe lever extends upwardly and externally of the side stile. y

Approximately midway between the top and bottom of the side stile is ahorizontal rod 39 which is preferably of angular cross section andextends through correspondingly angular apertures in the side walls ofthe stile and for a substantial distance therebeyond. It is preferredthat the rod have anormal central position toward which it is constantlyurged by such means as springs 4I) of equal tension, each bearingbetween one side of the stile and a central pin 4I effective to4 holdthe catch device 34 in engage ment with the base 33 of the latchingstirrup as shown in Fig. l. If, however, the rod 39 is shiftedlongitudinally in either direction, the finger 42 is lmoved out ofengagement with the lever 38 whereupon the force exerted by the spring23 is effective to move the head and the latching stirrup 30 upwardlythereby breaking the engagement between the catch device 34 and thelatching stirrup. Once this movement has carried the head above the sidestile I3, the head may move horizontally a distance ample to disengagethe shoulders 29. These disengaging movements, of course, arepractically instantaneous and result in a complete disengagement of thehead from the side stiles whereby entirely to relieve the Wringer rollsfrom the pressure exerted by the spring 23.

Means is provided for preventing an accidental return movement of thecatch device 34 and lever 38 once the holding engagements of these partshave been broken. In this instance, such means comprises an upwardlyextending arm 38EL which is mounted between the spaced arms of thecatcl.

The arm extends device 34 on the lever 38. through a suitable aperture33a in the base 33 of the latching stirrup. Thearm 38a is of amplelength to engage the base 33 in all positions of the latching stirruprelative to the side stile and has an elongated surface 38b (Fig. 1)fashioned for engagement with the base 33 by which the catch device 34is held out of latching engagement with the base 33.V Opposite thelowermost position assumed by the base of the latching stirrup, the armis recessed, as at 38, to allow the latch device 34 to swing intolatched engagement with the base 33. Preferably, the surfaces 38b and38c are connected by a` sloping cam-like surface which facilitatesmovement of the catch device 34 to its inoperative position when themechanism is tripped. Accordingly, after the holding engagement of thecatch device with the locking stirrup has once been interrupted, thecatch de- 4 though two, located one on either side of the wringer, arepreferable since most wringers are intended and arranged to receiveclothes from either side. The preferred form of actuator comprises a-U-shaped member 43, the base portion of .which extends between the sidestiles in parallelisz'n with the 'wringer rolls and about on the`areaassa.

line of the top of the upper wringer roll. The legs of the U extenddownwardly along the opposite side stiles and, in this instance, aresecured to the wringer frame at their lower ends by means of pivots 44carried by brackets 45 on the frame. As shown, an actuator is mountedadjacent each side face of the wringer. At each end of the frame, theactuators are connected by such means as bars 46 so that the actuatorsmove conjointly. The ends of the rod 39 are arranged to engage theadjacentvside legs of the actuators, as shown in Fig. 3, wherebymovement of either actuator towardor away from the frame will shift therod 39 longitudinally to release the lever 38 and thereby trip thesafety release mechanism.

Figs. and '1 and Figs. 6 and 8 show different modified types ofactuators for effecting the same result. In Figs. 5 to 7, the U-shapedactuators are indicatedl at 41 and at either end have upwardly'extending rods 48 through which the actuators are pivotally secured 'tobrackets 49 (Fig. '1) located near the top of the wringer frame. As inthe first described form, the actuators are preferably connected by bars58 for conjoint movement. In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 8, theactuators embody U-shaped members 5l rigidly secured together to form aunitary structure by means of upper and lower bars 52 extending betweenthe side arms of the member. The bars are engaged and supported bygrooved antifriction elements 53 whereby the actuator is mounted on thewringer frame for shifting movement relative thereto. In either of the4forms shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, the relationship between the bar39 and the actuators is such that the operator, by moving an actuatoreither toward or away from the wringer frame, may relieve the wringerrolls from operative pressure.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means.whereby driven movement of the wringer rolls may be discontinued orinterrupted simultaneously with the release of presure from the wringerrolls. Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 9, a bracket 54 is rigidly secured tothe end of the side stile I3 and supports a casing 55 for a circuitbreaking device or switch 56. In a preferred form, the switch comprisesspaced terminals 51 and 5B, a spanning contact arm 59 and a controllingor operating lever 60. The terminals 51, 58 are preferably mountednearthe upper and lower parts of the casing as seen in Fig. 4. The lowerterminal 58 is in the form of an elongated rod rigid with an insulatingbase 6|. One end of the contact arm 59 is apertured to receive theterminal rod and at this point is arcuately shaped, as at 62, so thatthe arm may rock easily over said insulated base. Such means as a spring63, bearing between a washer 64 on the end of the terminal rod 58 andaloose washer 65 abutting the contact arm, holds the arm against the baseand at the same time insures an electrical connection between theterminal and arm.

The other end of the contact arm 59 carries a contact point 66 arrangedto engage the terminal 51. The contact arm is normally urged into a-circuit breaking position, as shown in Fig. 4. .To this end, the lever60 extends (see Fig. 9) loosely Ahave an upward swinging movement.`

through' the lever. The spring 61 exerts a force at all times on thecontact=59 tending to separate the point 66 from the terminal 51.

The contact arm 59 is normally urged toward engagement with the otherside of the pin 69 by means of a spring which is mounted on the lever 68and bears between the arm and a pin and washer 1|, 12 respectively onthe lever 60.

The spring 10 allows the contact arm to moveI relative to' the lever 60after the point 66 has engaged the terminal 51, thereby insuring a'perfect spring pressed electrical connection which will'not be affectedby wear. This arrangement also eliminates the needof an exceedinglyaccurate adjustment of the parts. The circuit breaker 55 is interposedin the usual manner in the power circuit of the motor Il as is indicatedby the lead lines 1|, 12 (Fig. 1).

As may be seen in Fig. '1, the circuit lbreaker is so mounted on thewringer frame that the swinging movement of the contact arm 59 inbreaking the circuit therethrough is in a direction away from thewringer' frame. In conseduence, the lever 60 in the opening movement ofthe switch contact will shift longitudinally away from the wringer frameand at the same time, dueto the pivoting of the contact arm, the end ofthe lever 60 nearest the wringer frame will 'Ihe circuit breakeris somounted on the wringer, and particularly with respect to the bar 46which connects the actuators, that the end of the lever nearest theframe is substantiallyv adjacent to Vsaid bar. This end of the levercarries an engaging member such as a hook 13. The bar 46 carries acomplementary engaging part also in the nature of a hook 14. The hooks'I3` and 14 are both of narrow width and are so related that engagementbetween the two hooks is possible only when the safety release mechanismis set. Any movement, therefore, of the actuators 43 in either directionwill break the engagement` between the hooks 13 and 14 `to allow circuitbreaking movement of the contact arm 59.

In describing the operation of the device, it will be considered thatthe mechanism is set for operation as shown in Fig. 1. The operator,acting in an emergency, strikes or` pulls either one of the actuators 43thereby moving the rod 39 to release the lever 38 and trip the safetyrelease mechanism. Simultaneously, the hook 14 is carried out ofengagement with the hook 13 and the motor circuit is broken.Consequently, not only are the wringer rolls relieved of their operativepressure, but the driven movement of the rolls-is instantlydiscontinued.

An important advantage is obtained by the relationship of the partsafter the mechanism has been tripped. Once the connection between thefinger 42 and lever 38 has been interrupted, the lever 38 swings in adirection which is transverse to the direction of movement of the rod 39and across the path of movement of the finger 42. Ihe nger is ofsubstantial width for sidewise engagement with the lever 38 when thelever has so moved. Consequently, since the lever 38 cannot accidentallyreturn to its starting position, because of the relationship between thearm 38 on the catch device 34 and the base 33 of the latching stirrup,the vsidewise engagement between the nger 42 and lever 38 is maintaineduntil the wringer elements are returned to or reset in their operatingrelationship. Hence, after actuation of the safety release mechanism,

the hook 14 is positively held at one side or the Aresulting injury tothe operator.

other of the position in which it is. engageable by the hook 13 on theswitch controlling lever 6B.

Furthermore, the hook 13, upon breaking of the engagement between thehooks 13 and 14, shifts horizontally away and also swings vertically up,ward away from the only possible position of engagement with the hook'14.

By virtue of these movements, the hooks 13 and 14 are both shifted to aremote position where accidental reengagement thereof is impossible. Itwill be evident, therefore, that the hook 14 must rst Vbe/returned toits engageable position by the resetting of the safety release mechanismbefore the hook 13 may be caused to Y engage therewith. Moreover', thehook 13 can only be reengaged. with the hook 14 by a denite intentionalact or manipulation of the control lever 60 by the operator. Tofacilitate this movement, a nger piece 15 may be provided on the outerend of the lever 60. It should be noted that the operator may, ifdesired, manipulate the lever 60 independently of the safety releasemechanism to break the motor circuit and thereby interrupt the drivenmovement of the wringer rolls without affecting the setting of thesafety release mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a laundry machine has beenprovided which materially increases the operators factor of safety. Byproviding actuators for the safety release mechanism which .willfunction upon movement thereof either toward or away from the wringeriframe, the operator may instantly relieve the pressure between thewringer rolls and discontinue the driving operation thereof. Theactuators are so arranged that it becomes practically impossible for theoperator tobecome entangled in such fashion that the actuators'cannot orwill not be moved either intentionally or unintentionally. After thesafety release mechanism has been tripped, it is impossible for any partto be accidentally returned to an operative position with Moreover, inresetting 'the device the sequence of manipulative steps requires theoperator to first recondition the wringer rolls for operation before thedriving connection to the rolls can be reestablished. Consequently, theoperator cannot be injured by an accident resulting from driving therolls while the wringer is not ready for use.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rollsmounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operatingpressure, safety release mechanism for relieving suchv pressure,actuators for said mechanism pvotally connected one to each side of saidframe for movement toward and away from said frame and fashioned toextend along at least three sides of the space occupied by said rolls,said actuators being connected together for conjoint movement, a hookmovable with said actuators, a prime mover for driving said rollsincluding a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit,a contact controller having a hook engageable with said first mentionedhook only when the circuit breaker is closed and the actuators are inthe position assumed when the rolls are under pressure, spring meanstending at all times to move said hook on said controller out ofengagement with said first mentioned hook, and means for holding saidfirst mentioned hook out of position for engagement by said hook on saidcontroller as -long as the safety release mechanism is inoperative.

2. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rollsmounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operatingpressure, safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure,connected actuators for said mechanism mounted on opposite sides of saidframe for movement toward and away from said frame, engageable meansmovable with said actuators, a prime mover for driving said rollsincluding a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit,a contact controller having a part fashionedfor connection with saidengageable means, spring means tending at alltirnes to move said partout of engagement with said engageable means, and means for holding saidengageable means out 0f position for engagement by said part after saidsafety release mechanism has been actuated t0 relieve the pressure onsaid rolls, whereby the power circuit cannot be permanentlyreestablished until after the wringer rolls have been placed inoperative condition.

3. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rollsmounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operatingpressure. safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, anactuator for said mechanism movable toward and away from said frame andfashioned normally to extend in a substantially vertical plane along atleast three sides of the space occupied by said rolls when the rolls areunder Dressure, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a powercircuit, a circuit breaker interposed in s'aid circuit, a contactcontroller having a hook engageable with said actuator only when thecircuit breakeris closed and the actuator-is in the normal positionthereof, spring means tending at all times to move said hook out ofengagement with said actuator, and means for holding said actuator outof possible engagement by said hook after actuation of said mechanismand prior to resetting the device for operation.

4. In a laundry machine, the combination of a frame, rolls mountedtherein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure,safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, a movable actuatorfor said mechanism, a prime mover for driving said rolls including apower circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit, a contactcontroller having a part engageable with said actuator to hold thecircuit breaker in circuit closing position, and means for holding saidactuator out of position for engagement by said part after the safetyrelease mechanism has been operated.

5. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rollsmounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operatingpressure,

' safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, a movableactuator for said mechanism, a prime mover for driving said rollsincluding a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit,a contact controller having a part engageable with said actuator onlywhen the circuit breaker is closed, and spring means tending at alltimes to move said part out of engagement with said actuator wherebymovement of said actuator releases said contacty controllerto break saidpower circuit.

6. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rolls normallymaintained under operative pressure, a safety release mechanism for.relieving the rolls of such pressure including an' actuator moveablerelative to said frame, a driving motor having a power circuit, a switchin said circuit including a normally open contact,

and means connected with said contact for detachable engagement withsaid actuator to hold said Contact in closed position, said means havinga combined shifting and swinging movement when said engagement is brokento a remote position where accidental reengagement with said actuator isimpossible.

7. A wringer comprising, in combination, va frame, wringer rolls in saidframe normally maintained under operative pressure, mechanism forreleasing said pressure from the rolls including an actuator mounted onthe side of the frame for transverse movement toward or away from saidframe, a driving motor having a power circuit, a switch in said circuitincluding a contact resiliently urged toward an open'position, and meansconnected with said contact and engageable with said actuator to holdsaid contact in closed Dosition, said engagement being releasable bysaid transverse movement of said actuator in either direction, saidmeans having a combined shifting and swinging movement upondisengagement from said actuator to a point where reengagement can onlybe effected by an intentional manipulation on the part of the operator.

8. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rolls in saidvframe normally maintained under operative pressure, mechanism forreleasing said pressure from the rolls including an actuator mounted onthe side of the frame for transverse movement toward or away from saidframe, a driving motor having a powerl circuit and a switch in saidcircuit comprising a movable contact, resilient means tending at al1-times to move said contact to its open position,

an operating lever connected with said contact having means thereon f ordetachable engagement with said actuator only when the safety releasemechanism is set to allow operative pressure upon the rolls, and anoperators finger piece on said lever.

9. The combination, in a wringer mechanism having rolls normallyoperating under pressure and means for driving said rolls, of mechanismfor relieving such operating pressure, discontinuing means forinterrupting the roll drive, and a positive connection between saidmechanism and said discontinuing means by which the roll drive is heldagainst interruption only as long as said mechanism is so conditionedthat the rolls may be under operative pressure, said connection havingseparable parts each movable away from the point of engagement when thesafety release mechanism is actuated, said parts being reengageable onlyafter the operator has reset said mechanism for'operation and positivelyretur ed the discontinuing means from the inopera ive position thereofin that sequenc of manipulative movements.

10. A wringer comprising, in combination, a

frame, wringer rolls normally maintained under operative pressure,mechanism for relieving the rolls of such pressure, actuators for saidmechanism comprising a U-shaped member disposed on each side of theframe with the base part thereof paralleling the wringer rolls and withthe sides extending downwardly along the sides of the wringer `frame,means for pivotally securing said members. to the frame near the topthereof, means for connecting said members together for conjointmovement, a'vcircuit controlling the operation of the Wringer rolls, aswitch in said circuit having a normally open contact,

4and a disengageable connection between said actuators and said contactfor holding said contact in circuit closing position.

11. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rollsnormally maintained under operative pressure, a safety release mechanismfor relieving the rolls of such pressure, actuators for said mechanismcomprising a U-shaped member disposed on each side of the frame with thebase of the memberparalleling the wringer rolls and the 'sides .thereofextending downwardly. along the sides of the wringer frame, meansextending between said members across either end of the frame forrigidly connecting said members together for movement as a unit, guideson said frame engaging said means to support said members for movementtoward and yaway from said frame, a circuit controlling the operation ofwringer rolls, quick release mechanism for holdy ing said rolls underoperating pressure and operable to release such pressure therefrom,driving mechanism for said rolls, and means operatively connected withdrivingl mechanism and said quick release mechanism for simultaneouslyactuating both mechanisms under normal conditions, the connection withone mechanism being independent of the connection with the othermechanism to insure of actuation of at least one or the other mechanismunder all conditions.

14. In a wringer, the combination of separabley frame sections havingwringer rolls supported therein and means for applying tension to therolls when the sections are operatively assembled, quickly releasablemeans for maintaining assembly of said sections including an impositivelatch, a transversely reciprocable member mountl ed on one of saidsections and having a spring urged normal position, means connectingsaid latch-with said member in said normal position thereof to hold saidlatch operative, means 'clisposed for manipulation by the'operator andassociated with said reciprocablel member to move said member upon apushor pull by the operator for interrupting the connection by which thelatch was held operative, a switch, and means for opening said switch assaid quick release means is operated to Arelease said sections.

15. 'I'he combination, in a wringer mechanism having rolls normallyoperating under pressure tioning the rolls for the imposition ofoperating pressure thereon. y

WALTER K. VOSS.

